Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, has met with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review the country’s ongoing financial, institutional, and trade reform programmes, the ministry said.
During the meeting, the minister affirmed that the reformist vision adopted by the state is based on well-defined policies aimed at achieving the desired economic growth. This is being pursued through a combination of reforms in monetary and fiscal policies, enhancing private sector participation, and a significant focus on trade to boost the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy regionally and internationally.
El-Khatib pointed out that the government is adopting a clear and effective trade policy aimed at encouraging national investments and providing the necessary facilities for exporters. He stressed the importance of linking trade with investment, describing them as “two sides of the same coin,” in an effort to address the trade balance deficit and establish Egypt as a prominent export hub.
The minister added that, for the first time, Egypt has formulated a National Trade Policy to serve as a strategic direction for trade at both the domestic and international levels. The policy aims to enhance trade openness, increase export capacity, integrate into global value chains, expand market access, and diversify exports.
El-Khatib emphasised that digital transformation is a primary tool for reforming and improving the investment environment in Egypt. He reviewed the ministry’s achievements in this area, including the launch of a unified licensing platform that, in its first phase, includes 389 licenses from 41 government agencies and aims to finalise procedures within 21 days. He also mentioned the upcoming launch of the “Economic Entities Platform,” which will serve as a unified digital interface for investors at all stages of a project.
Regarding financial reforms, the minister said the state is implementing numerous well-studied reforms, particularly in tax and non-tax areas, all aimed at alleviating the financial burdens on investors and achieving a more effective tax rate through digital platforms that connect government agencies.
For their part, the IMF officials expressed their optimism and appreciation for the government’s financial, trade, and structural reforms, which they said are contributing to gaining investor confidence and improving the business environment in Egypt through digital transformation and linking trade with investment. This, they noted, confirms the clarity of Egypt’s reformist vision and its achievement of effective positive results.
The IMF delegation included Alex Segura, the Senior Resident Representative, and Mishira Karara, a senior economist at the fund.
